The British government needs to take immediate steps to understand the surge in worker visas, according to an official watchdog, which pointed to a lack of oversight in a program central to the country’s ongoing migration debate. A report set to be published by the National Audit Office (NAO) highlights that the Home Office has yet to explain why the UK has issued nearly three times as many skilled worker visas as initially projected when the system was introduced in 2020. Additionally, significant restrictions imposed on the program last year were implemented without thorough research into their potential effects on businesses.
According to NAO Comptroller and Auditor General Gareth Davies, government departments must make better use of data to assess changes to the skilled worker visa system, enhance the experience for applicants, and prevent exploitation. Without a deeper understanding of these factors, the visa system cannot be managed efficiently or deliver value for money.
The report urges the government to publish a full evaluation of the Skilled Worker route within three months and to complete a detailed assessment of what happens to visa holders at the end of their stay by the end of the year. Collaboration between ministries and other government bodies is essential to addressing skills shortages effectively.
A Home Office spokesperson confirmed that several of the NAO’s recommendations are already being implemented, including stronger cooperation between departments. Under the Plan for Change, the government aims to restore order to the immigration system by publishing a White Paper that links immigration, skills, and visa policies to strengthen the domestic workforce and reduce reliance on overseas labor to drive economic growth.
Since the skilled worker visa program was launched by the government of then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, over 900,000 foreign workers have been granted visas. The points-based system was intended to provide the UK with greater control over its borders following its departure from the European Union.
The influx of skilled worker visa holders has contributed significantly to the UK’s net migration rate, which reached historic levels, with a record 906,000 arrivals in the year leading to mid-2023. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of people remaining in the country permanently grew by 80%, while the number of dependents accompanying visa holders rose by 360% between 2021 and 2023.
Managing migration has been a key challenge for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose Labour government has pledged to reduce the number of newcomers since taking office in July. Legal migration has become entangled in broader public frustration over a rise in asylum applications from those crossing the English Channel by boat.
The issue has also drawn criticism from Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, which advocates reducing net migration to zero, while the opposition Conservative Party, now under the leadership of Kemi Badenoch, has also taken a stricter stance on immigration.
The skilled worker program allows employers in industries facing labor shortages to sponsor foreign workers for positions that are tied to their continued employment. The shift from the EU’s free movement system has changed the makeup of migrant arrivals, with most now coming from India and Nigeria as businesses seek workers outside Europe, particularly for roles in healthcare and social care.
Changes introduced under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last year—including restrictions on care workers bringing dependents and higher salary thresholds for migrant hires—were implemented with little consultation or consideration of their impact on various industries. These measures led to a decline in the use of the visa across sectors such as social care, construction, and architecture, all of which already face labor shortages.
Investigations have revealed that some care industry employers in the UK have been illegally charging workers fees for entry into the country. Due to their visa status being linked to their employment, many feel unable to report such exploitation.
The NAO report highlights widespread abuse within the care sector, including trafficking, forced labor, debt bondage, underpayment, and poor working conditions. A lack of coordination between government agencies has hindered efforts to address these issues effectively.The British government needs to take immediate steps to understand the surge in worker visas, according to an official watchdog, which pointed to a lack of oversight in a program central to the country’s ongoing migration debate. A report set to be published by the National Audit Office (NAO) highlights that the Home Office has yet to explain why the UK has issued nearly three times as many skilled worker visas as initially projected when the system was introduced in 2020. Additionally, significant restrictions imposed on the program last year were implemented without thorough research into their potential effects on businesses.
According to NAO Comptroller and Auditor General Gareth Davies, government departments must make better use of data to assess changes to the skilled worker visa system, enhance the experience for applicants, and prevent exploitation. Without a deeper understanding of these factors, the visa system cannot be managed efficiently or deliver value for money.
The report urges the government to publish a full evaluation of the Skilled Worker route within three months and to complete a detailed assessment of what happens to visa holders at the end of their stay by the end of the year. Collaboration between ministries and other government bodies is essential to addressing skills shortages effectively.
A Home Office spokesperson confirmed that several of the NAO’s recommendations are already being implemented, including stronger cooperation between departments. Under the Plan for Change, the government aims to restore order to the immigration system by publishing a White Paper that links immigration, skills, and visa policies to strengthen the domestic workforce and reduce reliance on overseas labor to drive economic growth.
Since the skilled worker visa program was launched by the government of then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, over 900,000 foreign workers have been granted visas. The points-based system was intended to provide the UK with greater control over its borders following its departure from the European Union.
The influx of skilled worker visa holders has contributed significantly to the UK’s net migration rate, which reached historic levels, with a record 906,000 arrivals in the year leading to mid-2023. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of people remaining in the country permanently grew by 80%, while the number of dependents accompanying visa holders rose by 360% between 2021 and 2023.
Managing migration has been a key challenge for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose Labour government has pledged to reduce the number of newcomers since taking office in July. Legal migration has become entangled in broader public frustration over a rise in asylum applications from those crossing the English Channel by boat.
The issue has also drawn criticism from Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, which advocates reducing net migration to zero, while the opposition Conservative Party, now under the leadership of Kemi Badenoch, has also taken a stricter stance on immigration.
The skilled worker program allows employers in industries facing labor shortages to sponsor foreign workers for positions that are tied to their continued employment. The shift from the EU’s free movement system has changed the makeup of migrant arrivals, with most now coming from India and Nigeria as businesses seek workers outside Europe, particularly for roles in healthcare and social care.
Changes introduced under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last year—including restrictions on care workers bringing dependents and higher salary thresholds for migrant hires—were implemented with little consultation or consideration of their impact on various industries. These measures led to a decline in the use of the visa across sectors such as social care, construction, and architecture, all of which already face labor shortages.
Investigations have revealed that some care industry employers in the UK have been illegally charging workers fees for entry into the country. Due to their visa status being linked to their employment, many feel unable to report such exploitation.
The NAO report highlights widespread abuse within the care sector, including trafficking, forced labor, debt bondage, underpayment, and poor working conditions. A lack of coordination between government agencies has hindered efforts to address these issues effectively.
